New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith's anti-human trafficking bill signed into law

There are several warning signs for human trafficking, including poor physical and mental health, a lack of control over their lives and harsh working conditions. If you see any of these signs, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
Stephanie Dickrell, sdickrell@stcloudtimes.com

More than $430 million will go toward combating human trafficking after New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith's bill was signed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

The bill, named after Frederick Douglass, is the fifth anti-human trafficking law from Smith, a Republican representing the 4th Congressional district. The $430 million that will be spent over four years in the latest bill includes funding for:

Age-appropriate prevention education for children

Shelter, therapy and reintegration for trafficking victims

Facilitation of trafficking-free supply chains in U.S. commerce

Training of U.S. government officials and airline industry employees to better identify and prevent possible cases of trafficking

Oversight to ensure that U.S. government purchases are not employing traffickers

“In the fight to end modern day slavery, my law honors the extraordinary legacy of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived,” Smith stated in a press release.

Douglass was a famed abolitionist who fought against slavery in the 19th century. In the release, Kenneth B. Morris Jr., the great-great-great-grandson of Douglass, thanked Smith for his efforts.

“If my great ancestor were here today, I believe he would be driven to lead the struggle against contemporary forms of slavery," Morris stated.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Karen Bass, a Democrat from California.

The International Labour Organization estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally.

Polaris Project estimates there are hundreds of thousands of victims in the United States.

My Frederick Douglass anti-trafficking bill is now the law of the land. It authorizes over $430 million, over 4 years, to fund a whole-of-government effort to fight this heinous crime which targets mostly women and children. Read about it here: https://t.co/fe1JDmqfTW